Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences Vol 21 No 1 (2017): 248 - 260

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/mjas-2017-2101-29

 

 

 

SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND CATALYTIC PERFORMANCE OF CERIA-SUPPORTED COBALT CATALYST FOR METHANE DRY REFORMING TO SYNGAS

 

(Sintesis, Pencirian dan Prestasi Mangkin Kobalt Sokongan Ceria untuk Penghasilan Semula Metana Kontang Kepada Gas Sintesis)

 

Bamidele V. Ayodele^1,2, Mohd Nasir Nor Shahirah^1,2 , Maksudur R. Khan¹, Chin Kui Cheng^1,2*

 

¹Faculty of Chemical & Natural Resources Engineering

²Centre of Excellence for Advanced Research in Fluid Flow (CARIFF)

Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300 Gambang Kuantan, Malaysia

 

*Corresponding author: chinkui@ump.edu.my

 

 

Received: 21 October 2015; Accepted: 14 June 2016

 

 

Abstract

In this study the synthesis, characterization and catalytic performance of CeO₂ (Ceria) supported Co catalyst was investigated.  First, the ceria was synthesized by direct thermal decomposition of Ce(NO₃)₃.6H₂O and subsequently impregnated with 20 wt.% Co using aqueous solution of Co(NO₃)₂.6H₂O as a precursor. The synthesized catalyst was characterized using TGA, N₂-adsorption-desorption, X-ray Diffractometry (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM-EDX), and Fourier Transformation Infrared (FTIR). The catalytic property of the ceria-supported cobalt catalyst was tested in methane dry reforming using a stainless steel fixed bed reactor. The dry reforming reaction was performed at the temperature range of 923-1023 K under a controlled atmospheric pressure and constant gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 30000 h^-1. The effects of reactant (CH₄ and CO₂) feed ratio was investigated on reactants conversion, product yields, and selectivity. The ceria-supported cobalt catalyst recorded highest catalytic activity at a CH₄: CO₂ ratio of 0.9 and temperature of 1023 K. The highest values of 79.5% and 87.6% were recorded for the CH₄ and CO₂ conversions respectively. Furthermore, highest yields of 41.98% and 39.76%, as well as selectivity of 19.56% and 20.72%, were obtained for H₂ and CO respectively. Syngas ratio of 0.90 was obtained from the dry reforming of methane, making it suitable as feedstock for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS).

 

Keywords:  ceria, cobalt, Fischer-Trosch synthesis, methane dry reforming, syngas

 

Abstrak

Dalam kajian ini, sintesis, pencirian berserta prestasi tindakbalas pemangkin Co/CeO₂ telah dijalankan. Terdahulu, ceria disintesis daripada penguraian terma secara langsung ke atas Ce(NO₃)₃.6H₂O, diikuti oleh formulasi dengan 20% logam Co menggunakan larutan akueus Co(NO₃)₂.6H₂O sebagai pelopor. Mangkin yang diperolehi dicirikan dengan menggunakan kaedah TGA, N₂-penjerapan penyaherapan, pembelauan sinar X (XRD), Mikroskop Pengimbas Elektron Pancaran Medan – Sinar-X Serakan Tenagan (FESEM-EDX) dan Inframerah Tranformasi Fourier (FTIR). Prestasi pemangkin Co/CeO₂ telah diuji untuk tindakbalas penghasilan metana kontang di dalam reaktor keluli tahan karat. Tindakbalas kimia tersebut telah dijalankan pada suhu berjulat daripada 923-1023 K, tekanan 1 atm serta GHSV bersamaan 30000 h^-1. Kesan nisbah reaktan (CH₄ and CO₂) terhadap penukaran reaktan serta hasil dan pemilihan produk telah disiasat. Mangkin Co/CeO₂ mencatatkan aktiviti pemangkin paling tinggi pada nisbah CH₄/CO₂ bersamaan 0.9 dan suhu 1023 K. Penukaran CH₄ and CO₂ mencatatkan nilai tertinggi bersamaan 79.5% dan 87.6%. Tambahan pula, hasil tertinggi bersamaan 37.6% dan 40% berserta sifat pemilihan bersamaan 19.56% dan 20.72% untuk H₂ dan CO telah direkodkan. Nisbah gas sintesis bersamaan 0.9 telah diperolehi daripada penghasilan semula metana kontang bersesuaian untuk tindakbalas sintesis Fischer-Trosch.

 

Kata kunci:  ceria, kobalt, sintesis Fischer-Tropsch, penghasilan semula metana, gas sintesis

 

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